§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with the Bar Council and the Law Society on banisters and solicitors providing value for money. [4296]
§ Mr. StreeterThe legal profession is independent and self-regulating. Fee levels are, in privately funded matters, for client and lawyer to determine subject to the lawyer's professional rules and any particular controls provided by the courts, for example, taxation of costs. However, the Government are concerned to get value for money from publicly funded legal services. The legal aid rates paid to banisters and solicitors are considered each year in consultation with the Bar Council and the Law Society. The value for money provided by legal aid payments to barristers and solicitors is therefore considered on an annual basis, and is discussed with the profession with the same regularity.